The Merlin Annual Pass Summer Sale, offering £50 off Gold and Platinum passes, ends this Sunday, June 28. Families have until then to secure year-round access to more than 20 UK attractions, including Alton Towers Resort, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, LEGOLAND Windsor Resort and the London Eye.
Discounted Pricing Details
The Gold Pass has been reduced from £239 to £189, while the Platinum Pass now costs £249, down from £299. Monthly membership options are also discounted: Gold Membership falls from £19.99 to £16.99 per month, and Platinum Membership drops from £24.99 to £20.99 per month. Based on the discounted price, the Gold Pass works out at approximately 52p per day, or under £4 per week, across the year.
Value Compared to Standard Tickets
Standard advance tickets for major UK theme parks typically range from £35 to £70 per person, depending on date and demand. On-the-day purchases, especially during weekends and school holidays, are often higher. For a family of four, a single visit can cost £140 to £280 or more, meaning two or three visits can quickly exceed the cost of a Merlin annual pass. The pass offers unlimited visits rather than one-off entry tickets, providing better value for families planning multiple trips.
New Attractions and Developments
The sale coincides with new attractions across Merlin’s portfolio. At Chessington World of Adventures Resort, visitors can experience the new World of PAW Patrol. Alton Towers Resort has introduced Bluey the Ride: Here Come The Grannies! LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is also celebrating its 30th birthday with seasonal events.
Additional Benefits for Passholders
Gold Pass members enjoy complimentary parking and 20% discounts on food, beverages and merchandise. Platinum Pass members gain Fastrack priority access, Bring a Friend vouchers, mini golf and savings of up to 15% on Merlin Holiday Club short breaks.
Customer Reviews and Feedback
Merlin Pass holders have shared their experiences on Trustpilot. One family commented: "So many attractions to explore! So far we've used our Merlin Pass at Alton Towers for two days, Thorpe Park for two days, York Dungeons, London Dungeons, Sealife in London, the London Eye, Shrek's Adventure, Madame Tussauds and are planning a trip to Edinburgh Dungeons! Having a Merlin Pass opens your horizons to what is out there and we have enjoyed every attraction, such amazing value for money."
Another reviewer said: "Really easy to book from start to finish. We've only had our passes for a couple of months and already used them to visit all the London attractions and three different Sea Life Centres. It's paid for itself already!" A third simply stated: "Great value passes for what is included. Provides us with so many family days out."
However, some customers raised issues. One noted: "Paid for Merlin gold passes and still had to pre book visits to Alton Towers and on more than one occasion there was no availability online via the portal."
Another satisfied customer shared: "It has been so easy to use, the booking system is really easy to navigate. On a trip to London recently for half term we visited London Eye (twice, my kids loved it) London Dungeons, Aquarium, Shrek Adventure and Madame Tussauds. All included in the pass, all brilliant! In the summer we are planning on doing Chessington again and Legoland and Alton Towers. What an amazing cost saving! Highly recommend."
On the Merlin website, another customer commented: "We get Annual Passes every year - we love spending quality time as a family at one of the brilliant attractions. There are so many attractions, it doesn't matter what the weather is doing. It has been so much fun introducing the kids to new rides and attractions every year – I couldn't imagine entertaining them without a Merlin Annual Pass."
Alternative Summer Options
Families seeking alternatives might consider cinema subscription schemes like Odeon Limitless and Cineworld Unlimited, which offer unlimited or reduced-price films. Yearly subscriptions to the National Trust and English Heritage provide entry to historical landmarks, gardens and countryside locations. Many households pair these with free outings to coastal areas, public gardens and wildlife habitats.
Full List of Participating Attractions
The Merlin Annual Pass is valid at the following attractions: London: The London Eye, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, SEA LIFE London, Madame Tussauds London, Shrek’s Adventure! London, The London Dungeon. South East England: LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, SEA LIFE Brighton. South West England: SEA LIFE Weymouth Adventure Park. Midlands: Alton Towers Resort, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham, Warwick Castle, The Bear Grylls Adventure. North West England: SEA LIFE Manchester, SEA LIFE Blackpool, Madame Tussauds Blackpool, The Blackpool Tower, The Blackpool Tower Dungeon, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester. North East England: SEA LIFE Scarborough, SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth. East of England: SEA LIFE Sanctuary Hunstanton. Scotland: SEA LIFE Loch Lomond, The Edinburgh Dungeon. Yorkshire: The York Dungeon. Ireland: SEA LIFE Bray. Also included: Peter Rabbit: Explore and Play.
The Merlin Annual Pass Summer Sale ends on June 28. For more information and to purchase, visit the Merlin website.
